Gilmer County, WV - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of Gilmer County. Gilmer County does not enforce a mandatory residential building permit process for residential construction in unincorporated areas.

Department

Gilmer County Commission / Gilmer County Assessor's Office

Address

10 Howard Street, Glenville, WV 26351

Phone

304-462-7731

Website

https://www.gilmercountywv.gov/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine project scope and estimated property value increase.
2. If project increases property value by more than $1,000, contact Gilmer County Assessor's Office at 304-462-7731.
3. Obtain Form 12:75 'Notice of Building or Real Property Improvement.'
4. Complete and submit Form 12:75 to Assessor's Office within 60 days of starting construction.
5. No permit fee or review process is required for residential work in unincorporated Gilmer County, as the county does not enforce a local building code for residential structures.
6. If project involves septic system, obtain approval from Gilmer County Health Department before construction begins.
7. If project involves land disturbance of 1 acre or greater, obtain WV/NPDES Construction Stormwater authorization from WV DEP.
8. If project is in a designated floodplain area, verify floodplain development requirements with Assessor's Office.

Typical processing time: Varies; notification is administrative only.

Source: Gilmer County Commission / Gilmer County Assessor's Office

General Requirements

West Virginia does NOT mandate a residential building permit for unincorporated Gilmer County. However, notification to the Assessor's Office is required if property value increases by more than $1,000. Projects involving septic systems, stormwater (1+ acres), or floodplain development trigger additional permitting requirements at state/county/federal levels.

Required Documents

• Form 12:75 for property improvement notification (if value increases by $1,000+)

Permit validity

Notification must be filed within 60 days of construction start.

Building code

Gilmer County has NOT adopted a mandatory residential building code for unincorporated areas. Residential structures in unincorporated Gilmer County do not follow a local enforced code; however, the 2015 IRC applies if property has other regulatory triggers (septic, stormwater, floodplain).

Owner-builder

Owner-builders may file Form 12:75 directly. No contractor license required for residential work under $10,000.

Contractor requirements

West Virginia requires a contractor license for residential projects $10,000 or more. For projects under $10,000, owner-builders may proceed without a license.

Fees

Payment note

No residential building permit fees for unincorporated Gilmer County.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• All residential construction in unincorporated Gilmer County is effectively exempt from county building permit requirements.

Important: Homeowners should verify septic system, stormwater, floodplain, and contractor licensing requirements separately with appropriate county/state agencies.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: County residential building permits are not issued; no county-level inspections conducted.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Gilmer County has NOT adopted a mandatory residential building code for unincorporated areas. Residential structures in unincorporated Gilmer County do not follow a local enforced code; however, the 2015 IRC applies if property has other regulatory triggers (septic, stormwater, floodplain).
• Verify contractor license: West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Gilmer County Health Department (Septic Systems, Wells)
• West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection - Stormwater
• WV Flood Tool (Floodplain Zones)
• West Virginia State Fire Marshal
• License lookup guide: West Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: West Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• West Virginia hub: West Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Gilmer County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Gilmer County, WV?

West Virginia does NOT mandate a residential building permit for unincorporated Gilmer County. However, notification to the Assessor's Office is required if property value increases by more than $1,000. Projects involving septic systems, stormwater (1+ acres), or floodplain development trigger additional permitting requirements at state/county/federal levels.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gilmer County, WV?

1. Determine project scope and estimated property value increase. 2. If project increases property value by more than $1,000, contact Gilmer County Assessor's Office at 304-462-7731. 3. Obtain Form 12:75 'Notice of Building or Real Property Improvement.' 4. Complete and submit Form 12:75 to Assessor's Office within 60 days of starting construction. 5. No permit fee or review process is required for residential work in unincorporated Gilmer County, as the county does not enforce a local building code for residential structures. 6. If project involves septic system, obtain approval from Gilmer County Health Department before construction begins. 7. If project involves land disturbance of 1 acre or greater, obtain WV/NPDES Construction Stormwater authorization from WV DEP. 8. If project is in a designated floodplain area, verify floodplain development requirements with Assessor's Office.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Gilmer County, WV?

Typical processing time is Varies; notification is administrative only..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Gilmer County, WV?

The following work is generally exempt: All residential construction in unincorporated Gilmer County is effectively exempt from county building permit requirements.. Note: Homeowners should verify septic system, stormwater, floodplain, and contractor licensing requirements separately with appropriate county/state agencies.